Tips for enjoying Kichijoji and must-see YouTube videos

• Table of Contents
• What is Kichijoji? (A town where nature and the city coexist)
• It's interesting to go to the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka from Kichijoji
• How to get to Kichijoji
• Kichijoji Area Guide
• Top 5 sightseeing spots in Kichijoji
• Kichijoji souvenir "Musashino Premium"
• Kichijoji's Climate and Clothing

What is Kichijoji? (A town where nature and the city coexist)

Kichijoji is a popular shopping district with a bustling commercial zone centred around the station.
In front of the north exit of the station are the buildings and streets of Harmonica Yokocho, which was a bustling black market after the war, and a major feature of the area is that it is a place where you can feel the atmosphere of the Showa era. As you walk further, you will find large commercial facilities such as Tokyu Department Store, Atre, Copis, and Parco, coexisting with bright arcade streets such as Sun Road and Diamond Street, and unique shops, creating the charm of a unique town. Even in a town that continues to evolve, it is a unique town that gives you a sense of nostalgia.
On the other hand, if you step out the South Exit (Park Exit), you will find quiet residential areas and vast parks filled with nature, from Inokashira Park to the zoo to the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka. Kichijoji is a town where commercial and residential areas are next to each other, enriching daily life and living. By the way, there is no temple called Kichijoji in Kichijoji.

It's interesting to go to the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka from Kichijoji

To get to the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, it's interesting to walk or take a bus from Kichijoji.
The official website has directions from the neighboring Mitaka Station, but at the bottom of the page it says it's a 15-minute walk from Kichijoji Station. But since they don't go into detail, I'll explain it here.

Enter 1-1-83 Shimorenjaku, Mitaka, Tokyo into a map app such as Google Maps. ① Get off at the South Exit (Park Exit) of Kichijoji Station. ② A narrow one-way bus street (Park Road) will be right in front of you. Turn right and continue down that road for about 3 minutes. ③ It will merge with a slightly wider road (Inokashira Street). ④ 30 meters ahead you will come to an intersection. ⑤ Opposite the intersection you will find Sukiya and Taiwan Lao Liu Pepper Bing, so cross the traffic lights to that side (south). ⑥ Continue straight along that road, toward the greenery in the south direction, and the greenery of Inokashira Park will become thicker. ⑦ After about 10 minutes, you will cross a small bridge called Bansuke Bridge on your left. ⑧ Well, the Ghibli Museum, your goal, is almost there. Thank you for your hard work. On the way back, there are a lot of buses running along the same road you came, and almost all of them go to Kichijoji Station, so you don't have to worry.

How to get to Kichijoji

How to get from Haneda Airport to Kichijoji (limousine bus)

The easiest way is by limousine bus!!
There is a direct limousine bus from Haneda Airport to Kichijoji Station. There are about 28 direct buses to Kichijoji Station per day.
The fare is very reasonable at 1,300 yen one way, and the journey takes approximately one hour (varies greatly depending on traffic congestion).
The great thing about this flight is that you can sit all the way from Haneda Airport.

How to get from Shinjuku Station to Kichijoji (Train)

From JR Shinjuku Station, take the Chuo Line and arrive at Kichijoji Station in about 15 minutes. The fare is 230 yen one way.
Please be careful as there are many trains at Shinjuku Station. The Chuo Line also has a special express train, which does not stop at Kichijoji Station, so be careful not to make a mistake.

How to get from Shibuya Station to Kichijoji (Train)

From Shibuya Station, take the Keio Inokashira Line and arrive at Kichijoji Station in about 20 minutes if you take the express train (about 35 minutes if you take the local train). The fare is 230 yen one way. The Keio Inokashira Line station in Shibuya is about 5 minutes away from JR and other stations, so you will have to walk there, but it will be fun to walk while looking at the city.

Kichijoji Area Guide

Harmonica Yokocho Area

Located in front of the north exit of Kichijoji Station since around 1945, this retro area evokes the Showa era. It is said that the name was derived from the fact that the rows of narrow shops resemble the mouthpiece of a harmonica. Many of the roughly 100 shops lining the alley are small and old. During the day, flower shops, Japanese confectionery stores and other retailers are bustling with shoppers, and at night, restaurants and izakayas thrive.

Tokyu Back Area

This is an area that truly represents Kichijoji and is not found in other towns. Behind Tokyu Department Store, there are three shopping streets, Nakamichi-dori, Showa-dori, and Taisho-dori, from east to west, with many privately owned shops. This is an area where you can encounter a typical Kichijoji scene, packed with unique shops selling products that can only be found in Kichijoji, limited edition items, and dishes and restaurants using local ingredients.

Inokashira Park area

About a 3-5 minute walk from Kichijoji Station, you will come to Inokashira Park, known as a famous cherry blossom viewing spot in spring. Boats float on the large pond, and there is a small zoo and botanical garden called the Natural Culture Garden. People of all ages, from the elderly to babies, come to relax here. It is a large area, so please watch the YouTube video introducing it while running.

Top 5 sightseeing spots in Kichijoji

1. Ghibli Museum, Mitaka

The Studio Ghibli Museum needs no introduction. Admission tickets are by reservation only, so if you show up at the wrong time, you will not be able to enter. Please be sure to make a reservation before visiting. The link URL is from the banner below.

Ghibli Museum, Mitaka

2. Musashino City Design Manhole

There are seven manholes in the Kichijoji area featuring popular anime characters such as City Hunter, Cat's Eye, Fist of the North Star, Record of Ragnarok, Hana no Keiji, Yoroshiku Mechadock, and Wakakozake. They are all in a small area near the north exit of Kichijoji Station, so you can enjoy them even if you only have a short stay.

Musashino City Design Manhole

3. Inokashira Park

Inokashira Park, which opened in 1917, celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2017. When it first opened, it was a park located in the suburbs, but today it is loved as a precious green space adjacent to a residential area.

Inokashira Park

4. Annual Events

There are a variety of events happening almost every week! Kichijoji is great for shopping and food, but the whole town is also hosting a lot of events. If you're visiting the area, be sure to check out the annual schedule and participate in some of the local events.

Annual Events

5. Harmonica Alley

This is the place to enjoy Kichijoji's nightlife! If you're staying in Kichijoji or a nearby station, we recommend you stop by Harmonica Yokocho for some drinks and food, with a Showa retro feel.

Kichijoji souvenir "Musashino Premium"

"Musashino Premium" is a program to promote attractive products that represent Musashino City, where Kichijoji is located, both domestically and internationally as souvenirs, and to certify products that fit the purpose of establishing a local brand originating from the city and promoting regional revitalization. Many shops in Kichijoji have been selected.

Musashino Premium

Kichijoji's Climate and Clothing

Another characteristic of the city is the large temperature difference throughout the year, with summer days exceeding 35°C and winter days dropping to around 0°C.

Spring (March to May): Light jackets and light sweaters Summer (June to August): Light clothing, short sleeves Autumn (September to November): Same as spring Winter (December to February): Coats, wool suits, heavy sweaters and jackets

The best time to visit Japan is from April to May when the cherry blossoms bloom, and from October to November when you can enjoy autumn leaves and pleasant weather. July and August are very hot and humid. In winter, there is almost no snow, and the temperature can drop below 0°C for a few days a year. The above examples of what to wear for each season will be helpful.